According to a new study by scientists at Boston University in the USA, the low levels of antibiotics administered to livestock on factory farms causes bacteria to mutate, leading to diseases that are medication-resistant. Normally, antibiotics eliminate bacteria.

However, in low doses such as those given to livestock to make the animals grow faster, the chance of mutation in the bacteria not only increases, it has been found to result in resistance to a wide range of antibiotics. In the United States alone, with more than 70% of the 35 million pounds of antibiotics sold being fed to farm animals, potentially lethal medication-resistant pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus are infecting workers as well as those who eat contaminated meat.

Boston University researchers, many thanks for these valued observations of the further damaging effects of meat production. May we all rapidly turn to plant-based fare as the most effective way to curb disease in humans and animals alike.

Reference
http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2010/02/23/new-study-shows-factory-farms-breed-mutated-superbugs-antibiotic-feed/
http://www.cell.com/molecular-cell/fulltext/S1097-2765%2810%2900028-6,
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/02/mutagen-antibiotics/